Retail 2 min read
POS materials in retail: what is used and why it works
Wobblers, shelf stoppers, floor displays and window graphics, and the role each plays in the buying decision.
POS stands for point of sale, meaning every material that communicates in store, in the last few metres before the buying decision. Their job is to catch the eye, explain the offer fast and guide the hand to the product.
The most used types
| Material | Where it sits | Usual material |
|---|---|---|
| Wobbler | on the shelf, on a flexible arm | 350 gsm board or PP, laminated |
| Shelf stopper | perpendicular to the shelf | 0.5 mm PVC or duplexed board |
| Shelf header | above the product zone | 3 mm PVC foam or mounted board |
| Floor display | at gondola ends or along the flow | corrugated board or 5 mm PVC foam |
| Totem | at the entrance or in the aisle | 10 mm foam, aluminium composite or metal frame |
| Window graphics | on the glass | one-way, clear or white vinyl |
| Floor graphics | on the floor | vinyl with anti-slip lamination |
| Roll-up | next to the promotion area | print on blockout, cassette system |
How to build a set that works
- 1One main message per item, readable from three metres away.
- 2A clear hierarchy: the window attracts, the totem orients, the header confirms the category, the wobbler closes the sale.
- 3Campaign colours repeated across every element, so they read as one set.
- 4Sizes checked against the real shelf, not the theoretical store plan.
- 5Plan for spare stock, because small items get lost or damaged in the first weeks.
Common mistakes
- Text too long for anyone to read while walking past.
- Thin board in humid or high traffic areas.
- Displays that block access to the product or the aisle.
- Campaigns shipped without installation instructions for the store team.
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